John Kewley

John Kewley (1832 – 2 February 1905) was Captain of the Great Snaefell Mine, Isle of Man. He is remembered for his heroism following the Snaefell Mine Disaster of 1897, during which he displayed extraordinary courage and endurance and for which he received the Medal of the Honourable Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem.

Biography John Kewley was born on the Isle of Man in 1832 and following his education, he became a mine engineer. He took employment with the Great Snaefell Mining Company progressing to become manager of the mine, referred to as the Mine Captain.

Snaefell Mine Disaster

By 1897 the Snaefell mine had become increasingly difficult to work as a consequence of insufficient ventilation (the lowest depth of the mine shaft by this time being at 171 fathoms .

Miners had finished their shift on Saturday 8 May, and the mine was closed the following day, Sunday 9 May.

Death It is said that Capt. Kewley never fully recovered from his exertions during the rescue and recovery of the miners in connection to the disaster. John Kewley died at the Snaefell Mine on 2 February 1905. He was 73 years of age.

Funeral Captain Kewley's funeral took place on Monday 6 February 1905. It is said that it was attended by all the principal people in the Parish of Lonan and miners from the Great Snaefell Mine followed in procession behind the coffin. Captain Kewley's body was interred in Lonan Parish Cemetery.